Ballard Estate-Mumbai’s 100-year-old neighbourhood is known for its British lineage and architecture. While usually a quiet business district, on weekends and public holidays, it will now pulsate with fresh energy. In a first-of-its-kind venture, the Mumbai Port Trust (MPT) in partnership with Ferriswheel Entertainment has organised the Ballard Estate Festival, a carnival that will feature events through the year for the next three years, the first leg being from January 23 to May 2016.

More than creating a festival that adds to the vibrancy of the European-style Estate, the organisers hope to make the spot a venue where people of Mumbai can come together and unwind weekly. “We haven’t curated a festival where we take away your time, but have curated events in a way where you come in on your own time and just float,” says Shubhra Bharadwaj, founder and creative director, Ferriswheel Entertainment.

We cull out six things you can do at this street carnival.

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Catch a danceThe opening act of the Ballard Estate Festival will be inaugurated by Hema Malini and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, on the evening of January 24. From Maharashtrian folk dances to the vibrant drumming of dhols, the opening weekend of the festival will see an amalgamation of varied Indian flavours and is definitely a must-catch.

Movie nightsThe open-air theatre is one of the biggest highlights of the fest and one not to be missed. Enjoy special screenings or clips from movies under a blanket of stars, in their sound-free theatre, with cordless headsets.

Shop till you dropFancy some funky mojris, homemade candles or gourmet desserts? Flea markets with a mix of retailers selling an assortment of quirky Indian products are sure to please the shopaholic in you.

Grab a biteThe street festival will offer mouthwatering Maharashtrian delights giving a true feel of the state to its guests. Apart from this, they will have a bunch of city’s best restaurants serving their fare.

Children’s specialIf you’re coming with kids in tow, giant Jenga blocks, trampolines, jungle gyms and interactive arts and crafts workshops will keep them busy. If not games, there is ample space for the little one to run around, or you could pack a picnic to relax and enjoy a Sunday with your family and kids.

Uptown funkThe year-long festival will bring you a stellar mix of live performances by homegrown Indian talents like hip-hop band Bombay Bassment, and Indus Creed, known for their contemporary Indian rock music. If you’re into electronica, then Nucleya and other artists such as Anish Sood, Raghu Dixit and Vasundra Sharma are sure to get you dancing.

The Ballard Estate Festival is open to all on weekends, starting January 23 to May 2016. Entry is Rs 150 for adults and Rs 75 for students